Scorcher hits 108 degrees in S.A.

By Lindsay Kastner :
June 29, 2013
: Updated: June 30, 2013 12:08am

Eight-year old Brianna Hernandez carries her one-year-old sister, Rebecca Adkins, through the water fountains at Hemisfair Park under the Tower of the Americas on Saturday, June 29, 2013 as temperatures soared to record highs for the date. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By Marvin Pfeiffer / San Antonio Express-News

Amanda Perez (from left), Malorie Acevedo and Joe Reyna cool off in the water fountains at HemisFair Park downtown.

Photo By MARVIN PFEIFFER/Marvin Pfeiffer/ Express-News

The crowd tries to stay cool at the Wonderland of Americas Amphitheatre while waiting for the band War to take the stage during the mall's third annual Salute to America Music Celegration on Saturday, June 29, 2013. Temperatures soared to record highs for the date and were still in triple digits as the concert began. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.net

Photo By TOM REEL

New Braunfels firefighters cruise the water near the Commons Street bridge as the Guadalupe River and Comal rivers flow over their banks in New Braunfels on October 31, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL

New Braunfels firefighters cruise the water near the Commons Street bridge as the Guadalupe River and Comal rivers flow over their banks in New Braunfels on October 31, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL

A woman collects articles strewn over the campground at River Ranch RV Park after the Guadalupe River and Comal rivers flow over their banks in New Braunfels on October 31, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL

A group from Austin plays cards and enjoys beverages in the water as enthusiasts cool down in the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels on July 6, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL

Lindsey and Mike Wilson survey the damage and debris under the I35 bridges after the Guadalupe River and Comal rivers flow over their banks in New Braunfels on October 31, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL

An officer helps in the pick up of debris after the Guadalupe River and Comal rivers flow over their banks in New Braunfels on October 31, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL

Spectators make it down to the water to view damage after the Guadalupe River and Comal rivers flow over their banks in New Braunfels on October 31, 2013.

Photo By TOM REEL

Residents inspect the damage and debris caused by the Guadalupe River and Comal rivers flowing over their banks in New Braunfels on October 31, 2013.

By 4:30 p.m. Saturday, two sweltering records fell in San Antonio.

The city reached a forecast high of 105 degrees around 2 p.m., besting the 104-degree record for the date set in 2009, according to the National Weather Service.

The heat kept climbing.

As of 4:24 p.m., the temperature reached 108 degrees, which also breaks the all-time record high for June in San Antonio, 107 on June 15, 1998.

“I can't imagine it getting any warmer,” meteorologist Pat McDonald said. “But we can't discount it until about 5:30,” when maximum heating ends. The temperature started going lower around 4:30 p.m.

Temperatures are expected to cool, with highs in the mid-90s starting Sunday.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued an orange-level ozone alert Saturday, signifying unhealthy air quality for certain groups, including the elderly, those with asthma or emphysema, young children and others who are active outdoors for long periods of time.

San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Christian Bove said the department answered nine heat-related calls Saturday. City officials said high heat is expected but they were surprised by the sudden scorcher. Councilmen Diego Bernal and Cris Medina said Saturday that the city might need to revisit its plan of action for extreme heat.

“It may be wise for use to look at how we would handle this (heat), especially for those who are elderly or homeless,” Medina said.

The city's plan calls for the opening of cooling centers once the Metropolitan Health District issues a Level IV heat advisory, when temperatures need to be higher than 100 degrees during the day and no lower than 80 degrees at night for two consecutive days.

The city's Metropolitan Health District on Friday issued a Level III heat outlook, urging residents to check on neighbors and relatives, especially infants, young children and the elderly. Officials also encouraged those needing relief from the heat to visit air-conditioned locations like public libraries or shopping malls.

Senior citizens can receive free box fans by calling the United Way help line at 211, Fire Department officials said. Emergency officials recommend drinking water every half-hour and limiting caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks.